Compressors

The most common type of compressor is probably the piston-driven type. The piston delivers air to a storage tank. The compressed air is then delivered through an air-line to a range of attached air tools. A two-stage piston is able to generate greater compression of the air and so these models are more powerful.

Tanks come in many capacities ranging from a single gallon up to 200 gallons. Smaller tanks are suitable for powering smaller air tools such as nailers, impact wrenches or staplers for short periods. To power equipment such as sprayers, grinders or sandblasters that usually require longer running periods a larger capacity tank is required.


Gas compressors increase the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume. As well as powering pneumatic tools gas compressors have a variety of specialist uses including transporting gases through pipelines, moving heat around refrigerators and air conditioning unit, providing breathable air in aircraft and maintaining the buoyancy of submarines.

The screw compressor reduces gas into a smaller space. It is good for jobs where equipment has to be run for long periods without stopping.
Industrial air compressors tend to be sturdier and more powerful models.
Some compressors have a regulator to adjust the air pressure, and therefore the amount of power, being delivered to the attached tool.